‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Responds to Carrie Underwood Feud 

Ryan Seacrest, Jamal Roberts Ryan Seacrest, Jamal RobertsDisney/Christopher Willard

Fresh off his American Idol win, Jamal Roberts is setting the record straight amid growing fan speculation about his dynamic with new judge Carrie Underwood.

The former gym teacher turned Idol champ, 27, attended BET’s 45th Anniversary dinner this week, where he was asked directly about the online chatter surrounding Underwood’s support—or lack thereof—throughout the season.

“There’s a very strong narrative online,” journalist Nate Vinson noted during their red carpet conversation. “People that watch the show felt like she really wasn’t supportive of you like other judges or other people were of you.”

Roberts responded, giving his honest take on their interaction this season.

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“Carrie is a country singer and she likes country music,” he said of Underwood, 42. “I mean, I don’t think she likes every genre for real. She had her picks, and she had her (choice) of who she really liked, and she stuck with it.”

While he acknowledged her preferences, Roberts made it clear he respects her for staying true to them.

“We applaud her for sticking to her roots and sticking to who she liked,” he continued. “But I feel like the better person won.”

Roberts’ victory, which saw him beat out country artists John Foster and Breanna Nix in the finale, added extra weight to his comments, with fans noticing throughout the season what appeared to be an underlying tension between Roberts and Underwood.

It first surfaced during his audition, when the Idol alum advised him to “loosen up” and find some “swagger.” But despite the speculation, Underwood offered her full congratulations after Roberts’ May 18 win, taking to Instagram to praise the newest titleholder.

“Congratulations to the newest winner of @americanidol!!! I’m so proud of @officialjamalroberts and all he has accomplished this season and I can’t wait to see what mountains he climbs next! He’s going to do great things!” she wrote alongside a photo of the pair.

 

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The Season 4 winner also shared that watching the finale brought back powerful memories of her own life-changing moment on the show.

“My heart was pounding when Ryan was looking at the card and doing the pause thing,” Underwood told USA TODAY. “There are a lot of moments that take me back to my time on the show.”

Parade has reached out to Underwood’s team for comment.